Norman Frank Paul Butler (December 2, 1918 – October 8, 2011) was an American polo player and thoroughbred breeder.
Norman Butler | |
|---|---|
 Norman Butler, Kilboy Estate | |
| Born | December 2, 1918 |
| Died | October 8, 2011 (aged 92) |
| Education | Oriel College, Oxford |
| Occupation(s) | Polo player, horse breeder |
| Spouses | Pauline Winn
(m. 1948; div. 1958)Penelope Dewar
(m. 1959; div. 1977)Gabriella Gröger (m. 1981) |
| Children | 6 |
| Father | Paul Butler |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Navy |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Squadron VB-107 |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Air Medal, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation |
Early life and education
editNorman Frank Paul Butler was born to Paul Butler[1][2] and Sarah Anne Josephine (née Rooney).[3][4]
He was raised in England, France and Italy, and attended Hodder Place, Downside School and Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, England. He later studied Modern Greats at Oriel College, Oxford University.[5][6]
During WW2 he served as a Lieutenant (USNR) with Squadron VB-107, which was based in Natal, Brazil and Ascension Island.[7] He was decorated three times, with the Air Medal, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.[5]
Career
editFrom 1948 until 1960 he worked in England for Butler Paper and Butler Aviation, and founded Butler S.A. (South America).[8] It was also during this time that he played polo in England, Argentina and the United States, notably on teams including Maharaj Prem Singh, Winston Frederick Churchill Guest and Freddie Guest, as well as playing opposite Prince Philip at Cowdray Park.[8]
In 1960 he bought Kilboy House in County Tipperary, Ireland.[9] As a thoroughbred breeder in 1972 he won the classic Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Irish St. Leger as well as the Pretty Polly Stakes with his horse Pidget, trained by Kevin Prendergast and ridden by the jockeys T. P. Burns and Wally Swinburn. Other notable horses included Pabui (winner of the 1974 Criterium di Roma at Capanelle) and Kilboy. His horses raced in Ireland, England, Italy and France. He also worked with Vincent O'Brien and John Magnier among others.[10] He later sold Kilboy House to Tony Ryan, founder of Ryanair.[11]
He was a member of Buck's Club and the Corviglia Club.[12]
Personal life
editIn 1948 he married Pauline Winn, daughter of Lady Baillie and the Hon. Charles John Frederick Winn (son of Rowland Winn, 2nd Baron St Oswald), of Leeds Castle in Kent.[13] They had two children together, Sandra (b.1949) and Paget (b.1953).[14][5][15][16] They divorced in 1958.
In 1959 he married his second wife, the Hon. Penelope Dewar, daughter of Lord Forteviot, owner of Dewar Whiskies in Scotland.[17][18] They had three children together, Paul (b.1960), Tiggy (b.1961) and Sean (b.1963).[5][15] They divorced in 1977.
In 1981 he married his third wife Baroness Gabriella Gröger von Sontag, fashion editor of German Vogue, daughter of a German banker and Director of the Dresdner Bank.[5][8] They had one son together, Patrick (b.1986).[19][5][15]
References
edit- ^ "Paul Butler Dead at 89; Top Aviation Executive". The New York Times. 1981-06-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ "Paul Butler -- founder of Butler Aviation, the nation's..." UPI. 1981-06-25.
- ^ Who's Who, What's What and Where in Ireland, Zircon Publishing, 1973, p. 45
- ^ "The Butlers of Oak Brook, Two | Classic Chicago Magazine". classicchicagomagazine.com. 2016-02-28. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ a b c d e f "BUTLER, NORMAN FRANK". New York Times. 2011-10-11. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "President Roosevelt Sets Sail For US 1940". RTE. 2020-06-01.
- ^ "VP-107 History". VP Navy.
- ^ a b c Whitfield, Kay (27 March 2016). "The Butlers of Oak Brook, Six". Classic Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Huge blaze at home of airline founder's son but extensive art collection saved". Independent.ie. 5 March 2005. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "KEVIN PRENDERGAST Three of the best". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Huge blaze at home of airline founder's son but extensive art collection saved". Irish Independent. 2005-03-05. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ Who's Who, What's what and where in Ireland. Geoffrey Chapman Publishers. 1973. ISBN 978-0-225-65887-3.
- ^ Rief, Rita (16 November 1984). "AUCTIONS; The Cave collection". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 January 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Sandra Butler and T. J. Heise Plan Nuptials April 8 on L.I." New York Times. 1972-02-20. p. 73.
- ^ a b c "Marjorie Childress Obituary (2003) - West Palm Beach, FL - The Palm Beach Post". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Thanksgiving Service". Retrieved 2024-08-14.
- ^ "Marriage plans still secret". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 1959-06-12. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Miss Dewar Bride Of Norman Butler". The New York Times. 1959-06-12. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ "Butler II, Frank Osgood". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois, USA. 2014-08-31. p. 28 – via newspapers.com.